Material Handler

Material Handler

The Material Handler plays a critical role in keeping our production operations running smoothly. In this position, you will ensure materials are received, staged, kitted, and delivered accurately to support efficient production flow and on-time delivery. You will work closely with Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Logistics teams while supporting Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.

At RK, Self. Made. isn't a tagline, it's how work gets done. People here build more than projects; they build capability, confidence, and careers they can be proud of. With so much work designed and fabricated in-house, ideas move quickly from concept to shop floor to job site. Teams collaborate across disciplines, solve real-world challenges, and grow through hands-on work that truly matters.

RK Industries is a second-generation family-owned company led by brothers Rick and Jon Kinning. With seven specialized business units working together, we deliver construction, fabrication, manufacturing, and building services with a focus on safety, quality, and craftsmanship.

People join RK for the craftsmanship, complexity, and the ability to make a real impact. Our in-house capabilities mean employees see their ideas become real solutions, creating meaningful collaboration and clear visibility into how work gets built. Growth happens through challenging projects, mentorship from experienced builders, and opportunities that stretch your skill set.

With RK University, accredited apprenticeships, competitive benefits, and deep community investment, RK offers the stability of a family-owned company with the opportunity and momentum of an industry leader.

Position Summary

The Material Handler is required to perform the daily operations associated with material handling operations. This includes related activities for receiving material availability and staging material to production lines to ensure material flows efficiently and accurately throughout the production process. This role supports Lean Manufacturing initiatives, and collaborates closely with Production, Supply Chain, Quality and Logistics to maintain on-time delivery and Production Efficiency.

Role Responsibilities

Execute daily work tasks based on production priorities, project schedules and manpower availability

Ensure material transactions are complete and accurate. Verify transactions made by others are accurate and complete.

Identify materials and items being received or shipped and ensure they are the correct items

Move materials to or from storage or worksites to designated areas, using hand truck or power device.

Maintain production station staging areas with full and accurate kits

Maintain supermarket zones per production station requirements

Participate in the setup of supermarket areas (taping, labeling, shelving) to support flow and visual management

Ensure that materials are staged efficiently and organized using 5S principles

Execute accurate kitting, labeling and delivery of all BOM (Bill of Material) items

Participate in the documentation of best practices

Identify opportunities to improve material handling efficiency, layout and accuracy through Lean and 5S initiatives

Participate in kaizen events and continuous improvement projects to eliminate waste and enhance operational processes.

Adhere to all Standard Work Instructions (SWIs) and safety standards

Adhere to all company policies including ISO 9001 and environmental protocols

Conduct regular safety checks of material handling equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, hoists, trucks, etc.)

Maintain a clean, organized warehouse and staging area using visual controls and 5S practices

May require delivery of material to other plants as needed; acceptable Motor Vehicle Report required for this task.

Coordinate and perform shipment loading and complete required paperwork.

Perform additional assignments per supervisor's request.

Issue material by requisition and work order, locate and distribute material as needed by production requirements and direct supervisor Use warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP, or other digital tools for real-time tracking of inventory and transactions.

Inspect and maintain storage yards and warehouses for cleanliness, etc. and report problems to supervisor.

Locate and prepare materials for outbound shipment and notify supervisor when shipment is ready.

Load and unload materials within warehouse, on-site containers, or storage facility.

Utilize hand trucks, forklifts, hoists, trucks, conveyors or other handling equipment to move

Qualifications

Material Handler 1 & 2:

Receives direct supervision.

Performs technical responsibilities.

Work is generally structured or recurring.

Objectives based on established guidelines, processes and operating procedures.

Relevant experience is not necessarily required.

Participate in entry-level training on 5S and continuous improvement to support team goals.

Entry-level position.

Material Handler 3:

All of the above plus:

Aid in directing crew in daily tasks and special projects.

Responsible for training new hires on all aspects of the job.

Mentor junior handlers on lean tools, including kanban, visual management, and root cause analysis.

Monitor and analyze material flow metrics to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions for enhanced efficiency.

Stand in for the supervisor in the event of an absence

Minimum Physical Requirements

Work outside, inside, and in dusty, noisy and hazardous areas.

Ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently while maintaining focus on safety and quality in a fast-paced lean environment.

Capability to handle materials in a manner that supports quick changeovers, kanban's, and minimal production downtime.

Climb, balance, squat, kneel and crouch.

Work in all types of weather.

Must have working knowledge of all trade materials, production materials, and tools.

Ability to lift and carry 31 to 45 pounds of force frequently, and/or 16 to 22 pounds of force constantly to move objects.